The next few weeks went by as if in a blur. Everyone had to give their testimonies and eventually, piece by piece, everyone in Nai'a Bay, and later, the world, came to understand what Vandal's plans were. The world quickly sided with the mermaids and as soon as other mermaid cities saw how well received the inhabitants of Naiale were, they too began opening up their gates.

The Hawaiian Heist was given to Jack Storm, who promptly returned the contents to their rightful owners. He and Maggie also became engaged with Dr. Cho's approval.

But the most fabulous event was to take place, one that no one wanted to miss. In late June, amid a glorious celebration and a press conference, the gates of Atlantis were opened to the human world. The boys watched the whole thing on the TV in the Marshall living room. Robby's parents and his grandfather were also there, along with everyone from ICS and Lillibulero. Ianthe was sitting in her wheelchair, moving her tail freely. They were having a grand party to celebrate the opening. Robby and Harry were munching away on a traditional Hawaiian meal with a mermaid twist and a side of chips while watching the opening reveal the wonders of Atlantis. Everyone gasped in wonder as the camera followed the king of Atlantis on a tour.

Irene sat on the sofa next to Harry. "So, what do you guys think?"

"I'm still wrapping my head around how you've managed to advance in technology," said Harry as the Atlantean king showed the camera how the electricity went from the generator to the rest of the city. Harry and Robby had already gotten all the information in their tour of Naiale, but it was still fascinating. The merfolk had observed the electric eel very closely once they realized what power electricity had. They built generators that could pull electricity from the ocean like the eel and that could redistribute it without electrifying anyone after a certain amount of time. They even took the skin off dead eels and used that to help the electricity move from the generator to the consumer. They even used other parts of the eel in the making of their electronics.

"You know, I still can't believe that some of the tech that you have which is the same as ours was developed independently," said Robby as the king showcased shellphones, clamtops, and molluskboards. "I mean, I can understand it happening, it's even happened before in our own history. The Mayans and the Egyptians always come to mind, but to see this, man, it's still amazing." A chip went into his mouth.

"And there's still a lot for you to learn," said Nereus.

"Oh I can believe it," said Harry. He grinned. "And I can't wait."

Nereus chuckled. "Good to hear. And you shall be hearing loads of it. Even at your school. A few of our professors are going to be teaching mermaid history, art and music at Cedar Ridge and others will be teaching sciences of the ocean at Sanford."

"Awesome!" chorused the boys.

"And you're one of them, right Dad?" said Irene before taking a sip of pineapple juice.

Nereus chuckled. "Yup."

"Oh double cool!" said Harry. He shot a grin at Irene. She just rolled her eyes.

"Sh, be quiet!" said James, his eyes glued to the screen. Robby and Harry grinned at each other. The great sceptic of the group was soaking in all the new information like a sponge, and it was a blast to watch it light up his face like a kid opening presents at Christmas.

The king led the camera through different areas of Atlantis. He showed how the different types of coral represented what kind of building it was. Elkhorn, Black, Staghorn coral and similar coral were apartments and office buildings while others like Acropora Nasuta and Acropora cytherea were for houses, malls, and theaters. The boys, after exploring Naiale with Irene, could pinpoint what buildings the different coral shapes were used for. They began whispering guesses and fistbumping each other when they got it right.

After a three-hour tour, the special was over and people around the world were chiming in with their reactions at seeing the wonder and beauty that was Atlantis. Then came the reports of the next group of humans to visit Atlantis, namely the archaeologists, sociologists, and other scientists selected to go and learn more about the mermaid world. But they all knew it officially ended when Jacob began to start singing the theme song from Gilligan's Island. The others groaned and quickly left the living room.

Robby, Harry, and Irene went outside and to talk about their plans for the rest of the summer and for Sanford.

"Are there any major events coming up?" asked Robby.

Irene shrugged. "Just the Independence day parade and fireworks. We might start a new tradition and watch it from Devil's Hat."

"That would be fun. Can we go with you?" asked Harry.

Irene shrugged. "Sure, I guess. There will be luaus all over the island, if you'd rather go for a more traditional Hawaiian celebration."

"I, uh, I'd rather spend it with you."

"Oh, oh, uh, Ok," said Irene, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She glanced at Robby. "Um, would you like to come along as well."

Robby shrugged. "Sure why not."

Irene smiled. "Great!"

Harry gave a forced smile. "Yeah, it'll be perfect."

"So, um, I guess you're going to take one of my dad's classes, huh?"

Harry turned to her with a more genuine smile. "Yeah, sure! I want to be an oceanographer or a park ranger, who better to learn about the oceans than from your dad and other merfold professors?"

"I will agree with him on that," said Robby. "Learning what you have observed of your own environments will no doubt open a ton of possibilities when we work together."

Harry bobbed his head. "Oh, no kidding. We might be able to come up with a really good diving suit that doesn't involve all that equipment. I mean, heck, it could even work for astronauts!"

"Oh I bet they'll be happy about that," said Robby, "especially now that we're doing so much travelling between the colonies on Venus and Mars. They definitely could use a better suit that allows more flexibility."

Irene smiled. "Yes, that would be a fantastic breakthrough! But until then, we'll just have to make do with what we've got." She chuckled nervously. "Though, I will admit, I can't wait to go to Sanford for that reason, to meet real aliens. Even if they are just humans who live on different planets." She paused. "Do you think we'll ever meet real aliens? You know, the non-human kind?"

Robby shrugged. "Anything's possible now, we've met mermaids and have seen Atlantis. Who knows what else is out there. Besides the wizards, dwarves, fairies, and other little folks you guys have come into contact with."

Irene chuckled softly. "Yeah, and who knows, maybe vampires, werewolves, and other such creatures are real too. Better have your stakes and silver bullets ready."

"Darn, I left mine at home," quipped Harry. Robby and Irene laughed.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you won't need them here. But you'd better come prepared for Sanford, just in case."

"Yeah. Oh, and we'd better bring our ghost-busting gear too. You never know when you'll need that," said Robby. Harry and Irene laughed.

James walked out onto the porch. "Harry, Robby, it's time to go."

"Coming!" chorused the boys. They quickly told Irene bye and left with Miriam, James, and Lillibulero.

For the entire trip to the bungalow, they could talk of nothing else but the wondrous tech and scientific knowledge the mermaids had. Harry touched upon the history and culture briefly while Lillibulero touched on their law and justice system before James steered the conversation back to the scientific possibilities. He almost didn't stop talking until he went to sleep, but Miriam convinced him to calm his brain long enough so that sleep could come.

The days leading up to the Independence Day celebrations were filled with lazy summer fun, surfing and sunbathing. Lillibulero left and went back to watching on the station. Irene took the boys around the island and showed them some of the best places to see, though they always ended back up at ICS, playing with the dolphins. Poipu had healed fully, and was ecstatic at seeing Jack back at work, safe and sound. He also showed that he had grown quite fond of Robby. He jumped out of the water whenever Robby walked to the edge of the platform, whistling and chirping rapidly. Kalea would join in quickly. Robby laughed and would go in, only to be met by both dolphins trying to rub him at the same time. Kalea, though, was always the first one to give him a ride out to the reef, where the whole adventure had started.

Robby looked out at Devil's Hat, now brimming with a ton of activity. Mermaids and divers were going in and out of the underwater city constantly, and construction had begun on hotels, apartments, and a shopping center. Docks and boardwalks were going up as well. The lighthouse would remain, but it was getting a fancy update and was being turned into one of the new hotels.

"It's only been one month, Kalea," said Robby. "So much has happened." Kalea whistled. Robby chuckled. "Oh yes, change is exciting. It can be scary too, especially when you don't know what's going to happen once it's all over." He turned glanced back at the platform. He could barely make them out, but he knew that Harry and Irene were sitting at the edge, chatting away and swinging their feet in the water. "But some change is predictable, like the seasons, and there's nothing you can do to stop it." Kalea whistled. Robby chuckled and petted the dolphin. "Yeah, listen to me, getting all deep there. So, what do you say, shall we head back?" Kalea nodded and the two went back to the platform.

Finally Independence day arrived, and the streets were crowded with both humans and mermaids in celebration. As Irene mentioned, they had a parade. This year, more floats were added to incorporate mermaids and mermadic elements. Once the parade was over, people went to their homes with friends and family for a picnic before heading to several key locations around Nai'a Bay to wait for the fireworks. The entire ICS team went with the Marshalls to Devil's Hat, along with several other mermaid families.

"I can't wait for that to be all over with," said Irene as she pointed at the construction sites. No one was working because of the holiday. "I can't wait to see it finished."

"It will look lovely," said Robby.

"Come on, the fireworks are about to start," said Irene as she began to walk along the beach. "And I know a good spot."

"Great!" said Harry. The boys followed her around the island as stars began to pop out in the darkening sky. She came to a stop and motioned them to sit. "Hey, this is a pretty good spot," said Harry as he sat down.

"See?" said Irene with a smile. "It's one of my favorite spots too." She glanced between the boys. "You two are the first people to actually ever sit here."

"Wow," said both boys softly.

"Really?" asked harry.

"You didn't have any friends growing up?" asked Robby.

Irene shook her head. "How could I? I couldn't invite anyone over because of Ianthe. Plus, I, I just didn't really feel like they were actual friends, just mere acquaintances, only school mates. I could never talk to anyone about my mermadic life, after all. But thanks to you two, now I can." She smiled at them both.

Robby smiled back. "Having friends is a wonderful thing." he glanced at Harry. "And having siblings too."

"I still disagree with you on that," said Harry.

Irene laughed. "Whatever the case may be, right now, I feel like the luckiest girl ever."

Robby smiled. "I know the feeling."

Harry cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, um, about that. Um, Irene? Could we, I mean, you and me, m-maybe we could go out together sometime?"

Irene blinked. "Say what?"

"I-I mean, you don't have to, if you don't want to. I was just asking. I mean, if you, if you like Robby more than me, then . . ." Irene interrupted him with a kiss.

"Yes, Harriman Smith, I'll go out with you."

"Oh thank God." Harry went in for another kiss, right as the fireworks went off. The two glanced at it for a brief second before going back to their kiss.

Robby chuckled, that was perfect timing. He leaned back and watched the different colors zoom and flash in the night sky, competing with the twinkling stars. He began to wonder, would he ever find a girl to love? And soon? He let out a soft breath. He was only eighteen after all. And if anything, it could end up like with his parents and they would meet in college. Well, just one more month to go until then. But at that moment, Robby wanted to dream of a girl that he would cherish for the rest of their lives. Then he began to wonder, what other secrets were out there? As he was to soon find out, they would reveal themselves in their own time. For now, he had the rest of his summer to enjoy.

(Author's Note: It's finally done! A little later than I had wanted, but close enough. It is finished ! Woohoo! Thank you all soo soo much for reading! I'm glad you've enjoyed it! The last page of the previous chapter and this whole chapter was from my dream as well, especially that kiss, I had to get that in there, lol. But it is officially done! I'm going to take a little bit of a break before getting back into Valley of Diamonds and Clue of the Broken Blade and getting work done on the new upcoming stories. I think I shall publish 1001 Nights of Red on here as well, it's still up in the air, but I'm leaning more towards a yes for on here. Thank you all sooo soo much for reading! And now that this is finished I can say this. I hope you had a very wonderful summer! God bless!)